When August hits, it hits like a storm. The realization that school is about the start, the knowledge that had been suppressed for the past two months, overwhelms all teenagers. It tears away the thin veil of confidence that new freshmen had at the end of middle school. They know they must now face the juggernaut that is high school. As for those who have faced the beast before, the long summer has made them soft and unprepared for the next 180 days that await them.

That’s where the Welcome Back Dance comes in.

At the start of every year, MVHS hosts a Welcome Back Dance to help newcomers feel at ease and get returning students back in their groove. For the most part, the Welcome Back Dance has been a standard dance with a strict no food or drink policy. While there were a few side activities like playing air hockey in the back or hanging out with friends, the main focus of the Welcome Back Dance has always been the actual dancing itself.

Not anymore.

This year, Bull Spirit Commission brought more to the table by expanding the event into a carnival. The Welcome Back Dance will offer students a chance to eat free food, play carnival games, watch movies and interact with other MVHS students—even those they might not know. And, of course, the dancing will go on. These changes are part of Bull Spirit Commission’s plan to increase interaction between classes and break down barriers between grade levels, further enhancing the Monta Vista community.

“The activities that are a part of the carnival will allow freshmen to meet upperclassmen, making a pleasant community on campus,” sophomore Bull Spirit Commissioner Christina Schuler said.

“I think it’s going to be fun, hopefully it’ll be something different from what I’ve experienced before.”

Bull Spirit’s goal is to promote freshman attendance at school activities, unifying and strengthening the MVHS community. It would encourage participation from all grade levels and help foster a friendly spirit of competition.

Based on students’ reactions, the commission seems well on its way to achieving its goal. Freshmen seem to be intrigued by the idea of a carnival, something far removed from the traditional dances at middle schools.

“I think it’s going to be fun,” freshman Tiffany Tang said. “Hopefully it’ll be something different from what I’ve experienced before.”

Most notably, the Bull Spirit team and administration are moving the event from inside the gym to outdoors. Leadership wants to capitalize on the summer weather, and give students more room to walk around and enjoy themselves.

Aside from being a new attraction, the Welcome Back Carnival is an experiment that might influence future dances.

“I think it’s more creative than it has been in the past years…it’s pretty cool, it’s friendly,” said ASB social manager, senior Nish Ullagaddi, in regards to this year’s dance.

As for the future of MVHS dances, Ullagaddi is keeping his mind open to the possibilities.

“Maybe from now on, the Welcome Back Dance will have more themes to it unlike previous years; …however, if not then it’ll be whatever worked in previous years versus this year that might be considered for future dances,” Ullagaddi said.

Whatever the case, the Welcome Back Dance—with its popcorn and cotton candy dispensers, myriad of games, upbeat music and people to meet—will be a novel experience for everyone, seniors and freshmen alike.

As Schuler said, “Sounds like a party right there.”

The dance will be held in the rally court on Friday, Aug. 22 from 7:30 to 10:30 pm. Entry is free with an ASB card. Tickets are $15 pre-sale, $20 at the door.

Note: This story was reported on by Justin Kim and Aditya Pimplaskar